Inhaler.



Patented Sept. Il, |900.A

W. H. FIKE.

| N H A L E R.

(Applicatqn filed Max 17, 1900.)

(No Wl edel.)

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NiTnD STATES PATENT Ormea.

VILLIAM H. FIKE, OF IBERIA, MISSOURI.

INHALER.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 657,866, dated September 11 1900.

Application filed May 17, 1900. Serial No. 16,996. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM H. FIKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Iberia, in the county of Miller and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Inhalers, of which the following is a specification.

My in vention relates to improvements in inhalers, and contemplates the provision of an inhaler through whichalarge volume of medicine-laden air may be drawn into the nose or mouth at each inspiration and one embodying such a construction that it may be quickly and easily replenished with medicated absorbent when necessary.

With the foregoing in mind the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal central section, on an enlarged scale, of my improved inhaler. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken in the plane indicated by the broken line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detail transverse section taken in the plane indicated by the broken line 3 3 of Fig. l.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

In the present and preferred embodiment of my invention the inhaler-casing A is of T form, and comprises a body a, of circular form in cross-section, and a stem b, of similar form in cross-section, which extends laterally from the body, preferably at the middle thereof, as shown in Fig. l. The ends of the body d and the outer end of the lateral stem b are designed to be normally closed by removable caps o, as illustrated, so as to prevent the escape of the medicament employed when the inhaler is not in use. f

Within the body o, and stem b of the casing A are arranged removable foraminated cylinders B C, respectively, the said cylinders being preferably of the proportional lengths and diameters illustrated. The cylinder B is provided at or adjacent to its ends with foraminated diaphragms d, and the cylinder C is provided adjacent to its outer end with a foraminated diaphragm e, which diaphragms are designed to permit the free passage of air, and yet exclude dust and other foreign substances from the interior of the in'- haler. The cylinder B is also preferably provided at its middle with an aperture f, which is designed to coincide with the concave inner end of the cylinder C, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and permit of the free passage of air from the cylinder B to cylinder C, and Vice versa. While it is preferable the aperture fis not essential, inasmuch as when deemed expedient the smaller apertures of the cylin-V der B may be depended upon to effect communication between the two cylinders.

Surrounding the cylinders B C and interposed between said cylinders and the body and stem, respectively, of the casing A are sections D E, of absorbent material. These sections D E are preferably in the form of wrappings of blotting-paper, textile, raw cotton, or other material susceptible of being readily impregnated with the medicament which it is desired to employ, and the section D is provided with an aperture g coincident with the end ot' section E, as shown, so as not to interfere with the free passage of air from the cylinder B to the cylinder C, and vice versa. 4When desirable it is obvious that in Vlieu of employing wrappings of absorbent material around the cylinders B C cylinders of absorbent material may be interposed between said cylinders B C and the casing, or loose absorbent material may be packed between the same and the casing. In either case it will be observed that when the cylinders B C are withdrawn from the casing the absorbent material may be readily removed to be reimpregnated with medicament or give place to fresh medicated absorbent, and it will also be observed that when the sections of absorbent material are in the form of wrappings or cylinders they may be readily placed on the cylinders B C and shoved with the same into the body and stem, respectively, of the casing. When the foraminated cylinders and the sections of absorbent material are placed in the casing, as stated, it will be observed that the cylinders Will securely retain the absorbent material in position, and yet will permit the fumes from the saine to freely mingle with the air drawn through the body and stem of the casing, and it will also be observed that the frictional contact between the absorbent and the casing and foraminated cyl- IOO inders Will tend to hold the latter against casual movement or displacement Without interfering with them, being readily removed When desired.

I prefer in practice to cast the casing, foraminated cylinders, and caps of my improved inhaler of aluminium or other suitable metal, f

although it is obvious that they may be made of Wood or other material suitable to the purpose.

In using the inhaler the caps c are removed and the end of the stem b of the casing is,

placed in one nostril and the other nostril is closed, after which air is drawn through the device into the nose. When air is thus drawn through the device, it will pass from theop-` posite ends oi` the casing-body a and thence ease in the nasal passages.

body ct is placed in the mouth. In either caseit Will be noticed that air enters the casing A at two points, and hence a large volume ofthe same is drawn through the foraminated cylinders, in which it is free to take up the fumes given O by the medicated absorbent, and into the head of the patient.

Having `thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. An inhaler comprising a casing having a body open at its opposite ends, and a stem communicating with and extending laterally from the body at an intermediate point in the length ofthe latter and open atits outer end, a foraminated cylinder arranged in the body ofthe casing, a foraminated cylinder arranged in the stem of the casing and communicating with that in the body, and absorbent material interposed between the foraminated cylinders and the body and stem of the casing substantially as specified. v

2. An inhaler comprising a casing having a body openat its opposite ends, and a stem communicating'with and extending laterally from the body at an intermediate point in the length of the latter and open at its outer end, a foraminated cylinder removably arranged in the body of the casing, a foraminated cylinder removably arranged in the stem of the casing, and absorbent material interposed between the cylinders and the body and stem of the casing'and removable therefrom; said absorbent material being held in position by vthe cylinders and adapted to hold said cylinders against casual movement or displacement, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of tWo subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. FIKE.

Witnesses:

` M. V. B. TRENT,

J. C. PETERSON. 

